Hoàng Đức showcases the elite level of a top playmaker after being "unchained"

The 3-0 win against Indonesia in the third group stage fixture of the 2026 ASEAN Cup didn't just push the team led by coach Kim Sang Sik to the group lead; it also marked a brilliant display from Nguyễn Hoàng Đức.

In a match that felt like an early final, the Ninh Binh FC midfielder proved why he remains the heartbeat of Vietnam's playing style.

After a scoreless draw with Singapore, coach Kim Sang Sik openly admitted his mistake in fielding both Nguyễn Quang Hải and Hoàng Đức in central midfield. Both players tend to hold the ball and orchestrate play, leaving the midfield lacking a dedicated destroyer to maintain balance.

Against Indonesia, the South Korean tactician decided to adjust. Thành Long was given a starting spot alongside captain Hoàng Đức, while Quang Hải was benched. That change immediately paid off.

Thành Long's tireless work in duels, ball recovery, and covering allowed Hoàng Đức to be freed from defensive duties. The 1998-born midfielder had more space to exploit his strengths: tactical vision, tempo control, and lethal passes.

Hoàng Đức's imprint was already visible in the opening goal. From a calm touch in the middle third, he delivered a clever through ball that split Indonesia's defense, allowing Văn Vĩ to break through and finish, breaking the deadlock for Vietnam.

Not stopping there, when Indonesia pushed forward in search of an equalizer in the second half, Hoàng Đức once again showed his class as a top Southeast Asian midfielder. From midfield, he executed a near-perfect through ball for Nguyễn Xuân Son to race through and beat the goalkeeper, sealing a 3-0 victory for Vietnam.

Two assists at the most critical moments of the match are clear proof of Hoàng Đức's influence. Without scoring, he still dictated the game's outcome through creativity and exceptional decision-making.

More importantly, this performance also showed that coach Kim Sang Sik has solved the midfield puzzle. When paired with a ball-winning midfielder like Thành Long, Hoàng Đức can focus entirely on playmaking. That role unleashes his full potential and makes him the "brain" of Vietnam's style of play.

As Vietnam edges closer to a semifinal spot in the 2026 ASEAN Cup, Hoàng Đức's electrifying form is a highly positive sign. If he continues to deliver performances like the one against Indonesia, the 27-year-old midfielder will remain the biggest hope in midfield on coach Kim Sang Sik's title journey.